Perth and Kinross Archaeology Year 2017

The programme will be officially launched by singer/songwriter and PKHT patron Dougie McLean at a special twilight ceremony on the 22nd April. The launch is not to be missed and will be an exciting event beginning with a torch-lit procession through the atmospherically lit woodland of Moncreiffe Hill. Up on the hillfort of Moredun top,the sound of a prehistoric horn will echo once more across the ramparts and a prehistoric world will be reconstructed through immersive hilltop virtual reality. The wider events programme offers new guided walks to some of the county’s lesser-explored archaeological sites as well as reviving old favourites such as tours of the Roman Gask Ridge sites and trips to many of the hillforts that crown Perthshire’s hilltops. There will be lots of opportunities to get your hands dirty and experience the past at the trowel’s edge with ve excavations to sign-up and take part in. Navigation courses using archaeological sites, workshops and demonstrations in archaeological survey techniques, a Medieval Fair in Perth city centre will be taking place, and then there are the Scottish Crannog Centre’s 20th anniversary celebration events to look forward to. Doors Open Days is not to be forgotten and will return in September, this time across three consecutive weekends instead of one. The events on offer are delivered by a suite of partner organisations and individuals, and in particular it is encouraging to see strong community involvement from local societies participating and sharing their passion for the past with others.

PKAY17 offers residents and visitors a variety of ways to interact with the historic environment of Perth and Kinross. You don’t need to have any knowledge of history or archaeology to be able to enjoy the events on offer; an inquisitive mind and a thirst for discovery is all we recommend. A digital version of this programme, online calendar and booking system can be found on the Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust website www.pkht.org.uk/news-events/archaeology-year. You can also ‘Like us’ on Facebook or ‘Follow us’ on Twitter (@PKHeritageTrust, #PKAY17) for the latest updates and event news.

There are lots of ways to explore Perthshire’s past in 2017 so get stuck in and discover!